Our Park Legacy Is Under Threat

It is important for our residents and those of the surrounding communities to be aware of the facts regarding the City’s rezoning application (File: LOC2018-0062) of 37 Cardiff DR NW to convert Cambrian’s Community Reserve green space lands to cemetery lands.  This application refers specifically to our park space on the NE corner of 10^th St and 32^nd Ave NW, currently designated as an Off-Leash Dog Park.  This is a precedent-setting step by the City to remove Community Reserve (S-SPR) lands from a Calgary community and we are strongly opposed to this rezoning and proposed loss.

Here are the facts:

• This land was originally designated to our community when Cambrian Heights was created in 1956. It is the 2nd largest park area in the Community.
• In October 2005 the City notified us that they would be developing this land as an extension of the Queen’s Park Cemetery (QPC). They claimed erroneously that this land had always been part of the QPC inventory.
• By January 2006 – through historic land titles maps, letters and documents obtained through City records – the CHCA was able to conclusively prove that this was Community Reserve land as defined by the Provincial Municipal Government Act (PMGA) and not part of QPC’s land inventory.
• In July 2006 Calgary City Council accepted that this was Community Reserve land. They understood that under PMGA, the City of Calgary would have to pay the value of the land to a special fund (then estimated at between $6.5–$9 million).  Council decided not to proceed with the acquisition of this “expensive” Community Reserve property.
• Parks and Recreation, Cemetery Division was directed by the same City Council resolution to acquire cheaper lands for a new cemetery to meet the City’s need. That was 12 years ago! The Ralph Klein Cemetery is being developed but we have been told it will not be ready for anywhere between 1 and 3 years from now.  That is the excuse the City is using to expropriate these Park lands from us.
• A senior Parks and Recreation official was quoted by QR77 radio on April 3, 2018 at 1:30 PM as saying that there are other options available to Parks and Recreation. What are those “options”? She also indicated there would be continuing demand for cemetery space in the North.  Where?
• Other Community Reserve lands border QPC including the green spaces on Cardiff DR, 39^th Ave and 10^th St NW and the tennis courts, open area and baseball diamond immediately north of 30^th Ave NW. Loss of these Park Reserve lands in question would set a precedent.
• Lastly, the CHCA board feels strongly that City Parks has restricted the area of notification and minimized public consultation for this re-designation given its implication to the entire Cambrian Heights Community and bounding communities such as Rosemont, Highwood and Mount Pleasant.

HAVE YOUR VOICE HEARD:

Please help us to express your support to retain our Community Reserve land by reaching out specifically to the following contacts with the benefits you perceive as significant to your health and sociological enjoyment of this park space:

• Planning & Development website (calgary.ca/development) – search for “LOC2018-0062”; click on “37 Cardiff DR NW”;, then “Find Out More” and then “Share Your Thoughts”
• Giyan Brenkman (File Manager Planning & Development): email brenkman@calgary.ca; Phone 403-268-2678, and
• Alderman Sean Chu (Ward 4): chu@calgary.ca; @seanchucalgary; Phone 403-268-3727

It is only through political pressure that we can impact this re-designation and Reserve Park land annexation.  If this land becomes part of QPC for a two year stop gap measure, it is gone forever as community park space. We believe this land should be keep for future generations of the living due to its social and recreational benefits for our inner City residents.

According to the City website (www.calgary.ca) as of April 6 the Redesignation Application has been temporarily suspended and public consultations are being suggested. However there remains the very tight deadline for a formal response to City Planning & Development of April 13, 2018. Please make your opinions heard. For updates please visit our website.

On Behalf of the Cambrian Heights Community Association,
Daryl Connolly, President
president@cambrianheightscommunity.com

For a detailed reference map of the land in question please go the following:
http://www.calgary.ca/PDA/pd/Documents/lud_section_maps/1p2007/33C.pdf